The Northgate Vikings proved again Friday that it might be the most improved team in Region 5A-AAAA with their third consecutive victory, 31-13 over visiting Fayette County.

Fayette scored first, with Jensen Floyd (12-of-20, 167 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions) hitting running back Tim Pettaway with a 7-yard touchdown pass.

It was all downhill from there for Fayette, which was punished by Northgate’s bruising running game.

The Vikings ran for 111 yards in the first quarter alone and ended the night with over 300 rushing yards.

“Our defense was missing it a bit,” Fayette coach Tommy Webb said. “They got blocked and stayed blocked. We didn’t receive a very good defensive effort.”

Northgate’s Payton Usher made an impact play for the second time in as many weeks in the first quarter, recovering a fumble at the Fayette 12 that led to Cody Gatewood’s game-tying 6-yard touchdown run two plays later.

The Vikings scored again on their next possession — Malcolm Poindexter capped a six-play, 73-yard drive with a 26-yard touchdown run on his first carry of the game with 6 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

A 37-yard touchdown run by Isaiah Riddle and a 56-yard touchdown run by quarterback Jake Copeland on the Vikings’ first two possessions in the second half put the game of the Fayette’s reach.

Fayette added a touchdown late, a 7-yard pass from Justin Murray to wide receiver Eric Lauderdale, who finished with career highs in receptions (seven) and yards (119).

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